UE News and Notes for Dec. 9, 2012

—Despite a furious second-half rally, the UE women’s basketball team lost its sixth straight game Sunday to Saint Louis at the Ford Center. But coach Oties Epps called it a “step forward,” as the Aces committed a season-low 10 turnovers and came back from 15 points down to tie late in the second half. UE also gets Valparaiso transfer and Memorial High School graduate Mallory Ladd back for its next game Dec. 20 against Toledo.

—UE student Bryce Weiler, a blind 21-year-old who wants to overcome the odds and make a career in college basketball, spoke to Murray State’s team on Friday before the Racers’ game against UE. Thanks to Bryce for inviting me as well as Murray State coach Steve Prohm for trusting the opposing beat writer at his team’s pre-game film study. Check out the story about what Weiler told the Racers here.

—Former UE standouts Shy Ely and Denver Holmes, now playing professionally in Switzerland, faced off against each other on Friday for the second time during their respective seasons. Ely tweeted this photo of the two — himself in the red BC Boncourt jersey and Holmes in the yellow BBC Monthey threads. Holmes is the third-leading scorer on his team at 12.3 points per game, and Ely leads his team in minutes played (35.6) and points (17.7) per game. Both are playing their first professional seasons in Europe.

—Creighton (9-1) and Wichita State (9-0) are the first Missouri Valley Conference teams to win nine men’s basketball games this season. A 10-0 start would be the Shockers’ best ever.

—Indiana’s men’s soccer team beat Georgetown 1-0 on Sunday to win the College Cup. To make it to the final game, Indiana had to beat Creighton out of the MVC. UE played both Indiana and Creighton this season, losing 2-0 to the Hoosiers and 2-1 to the Blue Jays.